Posted by flint over 2 years ago
In this lesson we will learn how to use counters when specifying how many of an object there is.
When counting or specifying how many of an object there is in Japanese, we need to use something called a counter to specify what it is that we are counting. In English we do not need to do this for most words, we just place the number before the object we are counting (ie, 5 people, 3 tables etc). There are some words in English though that we need to use a counter for (eg, 1 bottle of water, 1 pair of pants). While in English you tend to only use counters when there is more than one possible way of counting the object (1 slice of bread, 1 loaf of bread), in Japanese you always need to use a counter even if there is just one possible way of counting it.
In this lesson we will introduce you to a few of these counters, and teach you the grammar rules so that you know how to use them.
Pronunciation of numbers with counters
Generally speaking, the word for the counter is simply said straight after the number you are counting. For example, two cupfuls 二杯「にはい」 is the combination of the number two, 二「に」and the word for cupfuls 杯「はい].
For some number / counter combinations the sound changes slightly to something that is easier to pronounce. For example, one cupful 一杯 is pronounced 「いっぱい」instead of 「いちはい」.
Also, some counters use the Japanese pronounciation of the word rather than the Chinese pronunciation.
For this lesson don't worry too much about the pronunciation of each word and focus on the the grammar and usage. As we introduce each counter individually in later lessons we will detail the pronuncation rules for each number with their counter.
The counter for cupfuls is 杯「はい」.When specifying the quantity for an object, the counter usually comes after the object you are counting.
Note that 一杯 is pronounced 「いっぱい」.
When talking about bottles, you use the counter 本「ほん」. Pay attention to the placement of the counter, it is before after the particle of the object you are counting, and before the verb.
Note that 一本 is pronounced「いっぽん」and 三本 is pronounced 「さんぼん」.
Some counters are just based on the size of the object you are counting. Besides bottles, 本 can be used to count any long cylindrical object.
You may be wondering why the Kanji for books (本) is used for long cylindrical objects. This is because originally "books" were written on scrolls, paper rolled up in a long cylindrical shape.
The counter for flat objects on the other hand, is 枚.
While less common, you can place the counter before the object you are describing using the の particle.
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